Article Archives

Article Categories

Articles

February Chapter Meeting Recap

Posted by [email protected] on 02/20/2026 9:26 am  /   Monthly Luncheon Meeting Summaries

35 members attended the February 19, 2026 ASIS meeting at the Draft Day Restaurant in Grandview Heights. This was the largest attendance the Chapter has had in a long time. A Double Cheeseburger was the luncheon item today and they were well received. The meeting commenced with Chapter Chair Chad Parris having all the members present introduce themselves and Tim Beverly leading the group in the Pledge of Allegiance and a benediction.


This month’s sponsor was Hanwha Vision America. Brandon Wilson, who also serves as Vice Chair, gave a summary of Hanwha’s business lines. They are known for “much more than camera systems”. They are a National and International company that manufactures numerous products in their own factories and they are among America’s top 300 companies. One of their latest projects will be building two new Battleships for the US Navy. These will be bigger than the 890-foot-long WWII Iowa and Missouri class battleships, and will be designed to withstand modern threats such as drone attacks.

The speaker for today was Bill Swank, who is known to many of us in the Chapter. Bill is a Senior Special Agent with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, who he has served with DHS since shortly after 9/11. Bill was previously a detective with the Columbus Airport and other law enforcement agencies. He has received countless awards from city, county, state and federal agencies for his dedication and excellence in service to law enforcement.

Bill spoke about the importance of Public Agency /Private cooperation in delivery of law enforcement and security. He named ASIS as an organization which represents and supports this collaborative effort. Bill coordinates the security for the Arnold Sports and Fitness Competition, the largest event of its type with athletes from 68 countries. He applauded the dozens of law enforcement, safety and first response agencies which work together to make this event a success every year. The event is the largest tourist revenue generator for the city of Columbus, and this year, there will be a “World’s Strongest Firefighter Contest and Fire Engine Pull”.

The meeting concluded with announcements including about the ASE on May 14 at the Columbus Casino which will have 5 speakers including two from Homeland Security and the keynote speaker, who will be Director Andy Wilson, Department of Public Safety. Continue to attend ASIS meetings and watch the website for further announcements.